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Kathy Ireland Biography

Model / Actor

Photos ( See all 23 )

Kathy Ireland appeared in 11 straight Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues from 1984-1994. Her green eyes, angular jaw and athletic curves made her one of magazine's most popular models of that era. As her role at SI faded, she became an entrepreneur, signing a deal with K-Mart for her own line of clothing. Her company Kathy Ireland Worldwide has since flourished, selling home furnishings and other "solutions" for families. Forbes magazine reported in 2004 that KIWW products had "generated $1 billion in retail sales" the previous year. Ireland has also dabbled in acting over the years, with roles in the movies Alien From L.A. (1988) and Backfire! (1995) and guest shots on TV shows including Melrose Place (1994), Suddenly Susan (1997) and Touched By an Angel (1999).

Extra credit: Ireland married Dr. Greg Olsen in 1988. They have three children: Erik (b. 1994), Lily (b. 1998) and Chloe (b. 2003)... Ireland and Rachel Hunter were both pregnant when they appeared together on the 1994 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Ireland joins Christie Brinkley and Elle Macpherson in our loop on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models.